Abstract
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a complex area of circular muscle on the distal esophagus and proximal stomach several centimeters in length. Together with the diaphragmatic crura and the structure of the angle of His, the LES makes up the backbone of the gastroesophageal reflux barrier. Competency of the LES is a function of pressure and length. When the barrier is defective, reflux of gastric juice into the esophagus ensues. When the barrier cannot relax, food cannot pass into the stomach leading to Achalasia. This chapter focuses on the structure and function of the LES.
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Greene, C.L., DeMeester, S.R. (2015). The Lower Esophageal Sphincter. In: Swanstrom, L., Dunst, C. (eds) Antireflux Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1749-5_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1749-5_7
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